Mattress handle construction



June 7, 1966 E. L. BRONSTIEN, SR 3,254,351

MATTRESS HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 31, 1963 INVENTOR; Edward L Bransiz'emSr M azzys 1023:1774! &

442 FIG. 4

United States Patent 3,254,351 MATTRESS HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Edward L. Bronstien, Sr., St. Paul, Minn., assignmto The United States Bedding Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Oct. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 320,265 10 Claims. '(Cl. 345) This invention relates to a construction for mattresses which may include a handle, and preferably includes a handle in combination with a stabilizer.

It is well-known that certain difficulties arise in attempting to transport large mattresses from one location to another or in otherwise handling mattresses. Mattress constructions are known to be heavy and quite awkward and it is difficult to grip the constructions without the provision of handles. In order to overcome these difliculties, handles have been formed in the side walls of most mattresses.

Handle means now employed are characterize-d by certain difficulties. Where the handles are tied to the side wall of a mattress, the fabric comprising the cover is prone to tearing. In order to overcome this difiiculty, handles have been designed whereby they are tied directly to coil springs within the mattress. In many cases, however, this did not provide an adequate solution since the coil springs tended to be displaced, and since tearing of mattress fabrics could result. In addition to these diificulties, problems have arisen with respect to the assembly of mattress constructions since in many cases, handle designs have unduly complicated assembly operations.

Another well-known problem of the construction of mattresses relates to the tendency of the mattresses to lose their shape after extended use. This difficulty is particularly apparent at the edges of mattresses and, accordingly,

' stabilizers have been designed to maintain a desired con- .figuration in the mattress.

Specifically, the stabilizers are disposed on the sides of the mattress and tend to spread apart whereby a constant spacing between the bottom and top of the mattress along the side edges is achieved. The

stabilizers thus assist the coil springs in preserving the mattress configuration. In ad-diton, the ability of the stabilizers to maintain the lateral edges in their original shape protects a person using the mattress from rolling out of bed, a tendency which would arise where the lateral edges had been depressed.

It is one object of this invention to provide an improved handle construction for mattresses whereby the handle will not tend to tear or otherwise injure component parts of the mattress.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a handle means for a mattress construction which is durable in nature and which can be included in the construction with a minimum of effort.

It is astill further object of this invention to provide an improved stabilizer construction for mattresses which is of a relatively simple character and which is uniquely suitable for maintaining the original configuration desired of a mattress construction.

v It is an additional object of this invention to provide a mattress construction which includes a handle means and a stabilizer associated therewith whereby the advantages of each of these elements can be obtained and whereby assembly of the mattress can be achieved in a highly eificient manner.

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These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:'

-F IGURE l is a fragmentary elevational view of a mattress construction characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail view of the combination stabilizer and handle means employed in accordance with a preferred form of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken about the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the combination stabilizerand handle means in the mattress construction; and,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view illustrating the securing means for a supporting wires used in the mattress construction. v

The mattress construction which includes the features of this invention may comprise any conventional construction such as the type employing a plurality of coil springs arranged in side-by-side relationship with the respective axes thereof vertically disposed. A cover is then provided for the construction whereby top, bottom and side walls are formed. The handle means of this invention includes a portion exposed on the exterior of at least one of the side walls to provide a gripping surface. End portions of the handle means extend through the associated side vwall for attachment therein in'accordance with the features of this invention.

Included in the interior of the construction are 'stud the side wall. A wire situated between the top and bottom edges of the side wall is adapted to be connected near the outer ends of the stud means. A flexible plate -is located across the inner face of the side wall and the end portions of the handle are secured to either end of this plate. Openings are defined in the plate for receiving the stud means and the plate preferably constitutes the means for holding the stud means in the construction.

The stabilizer of this invention preferably comprises an integral member having horizontal top and bottom portions and intermediate inwardly turned portions. When the side wall of a mattress is depressed, the upper and lower portions of the stabilizer are moved toward each other in opposition to the spring action of the inwardly turned portions. These latter portions which assume a V-shaped configuration act to return the side wall to its original shape when the pressure on the side wall is released.

In accordance with a preferred form of this invention, the stabilizer and handle means are combined whereby elements employed for one can cooperate in the utilization of the other. The stud means which are held in place by the flexible plate provide. posts for securing the V- shaped portions of the stabilizer. The openings in the plate through which the stud means extend are elongated so that'the V-shaped portions of the stabilizer and the associated studs can move relative to the flexible plate in response to the application of pressure in the construction.

force which -results when the handle is employed for carrying the mattress.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates a mattress which includes top wall 12, bottom wall 14 and side walls 16. The mattress may comprise an outer covering 18 and border Wires 20 in accordance with conventional practice. Coil springs (not shown) are adapted to be located throughout the mattress and tie wires such as shown at 22 in FIGURE 6 may be utilized for connecting the coil springs together and for attaching these coil springs to the border wires.

The drawings also illustrates a handle 24 which includes an exposed gripping portion and inwardly directed end portions 26. These end portions are attached in the construction by means of barbs 28. Bars are formed integrally with the barbs tend to prevent displacement of the end portions once they are secured in place.

In the interior of the construction, there is provideda fiat flexible plate 32 which includes openings 34 through which the end portions 26 extend. It will be noted that the barbs 28 fix the end portions relative to the plate 32.

The plate 32 also defines elongated openings 38 located between the openings 34. Studs 40 are adapted to pass through the openings 38 and the head portions 42 of the studs prevent complete passage of the studs through these openings. Each of the studs 40 defines a small passage 44 through which wire 46 is adapted to pass. This wire is fixed intermediate the border wires 20, and force applied to the handle 24 is intermediate through the plate 32 and studs 40 to the Wire 46. This wire, thus, co operates with the plate 32 in preventing tearing of the fabric of the side wall when the handle is in use. the flat surface of the plate disrupts the force applied while the wire 46 resists any force applied. In order to insure this resistance, the wire 46 is preferably secured at its end 48 to wires 50 which are in turn tied to a border wire. At least one of the wires 50 should be employed.

Also included in the construction is a stabilizer 52 which includes a horizontal top portion 54 and a horizontal bottom portion 56. The portions of the stabilizer between the top and bottom comprise V-shaped portions 58. These each terminate in a apex which defines an opening for receiving the ends of the stud 40. It will be noted that the stabilizers are coiled to provide turns at.

the apex 60 whereby a spring action can be achieved. Thus, displacement of the top and bottom portions toward each other will be resisted by the V-shaped portions and restoration to the original shape will be accomplished as soon as the pressure exerted is released. The particular design for this stabilizer greatly facilitates and improves this operation.

As suggested in the drawings, the handle means and stabilizer can be employed in combination. The studs 40 act as posts for the stabilizers in addition to serving as a holding means for the wire 46. The elongated openings in the plate 32 permit sliding movement and the posts during application of force through. the handle, or as a result of pressure on the mattress.

The means illustrated may be used in various manners in a mattress construction. Thus, the handles can be employed in a variety of different positions although a pair of handles on each long side wall of a rectangular mattress construction is usually sufficient. The stabilizers on the other hand can be located around the entire periphery of the mattress.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the means described which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly asdefined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically, and wherein Thus,

a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side walls of said construction, the improvement comprising a handle assembly for use on at least one side wall of said construction, said handle having end portions extending through said side wall, a flexible plate positioned over the interior surface of said one side wall, means for securing said end portions within said construction to said plate, studs extending outwardly from the interior surface of said side wall, openings defined by said studs, and a wire running adjacent the interior surface of said side wall, said wire passing through said openings and extending along the entire length of said side wall, additional openings defined by said plate with said studs being received in said additional openings for thereby supporting said plate, and means for attaching said wire in said construction at either end thereof.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a stabilizer associated with said side wall, said stabilizer comprising horizontal upper and lower portions and inwardly extending side portions, said side portions being connected to said studs.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said openings in said plate are elongated to permit horizontal sliding movement of said studs relative to said plate.

4. In a mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically, upper and lower border wires defining the external configuration of said construction, tie wires interconnecting said coil springs and connecting the outermost coil springs to said border wires, and wherein a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side walls of said construction, the improvement comprising a handle assembly for use on at least one side wall of said construction, said handle having end portions extending through said side wall, means for se-. curing said end portions Within said construction, studs extending outwardly from the interior surface of said side wall, openings defined by said studs, and a wire running adjacent the interior surface of said side Wall, said wire passing through said openings and extending along the entire length of said side wall, and said wire being disposed in the same plane as said border wires, and being located approximately half way between said border wires and extending parallel thereto, a flat flexible plate located between said wire and said side wall, the end portions of said handle being connected to said plate at the ends thereof, and said studs extending through openings defined in said plate between the ends of the plate, and means for attaching said wire in said construction at either end thereof.

5. A constructionin accordance with claim 4 wherein said openings in said plate are elongated to permit horizontal sliding movement of said studs relative to said plate.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 5 including a stabilizer associated with said side wall, said stabilizer comprising horizontal upper and lower portions and inwardly extending side portions, said side portions defining openings at their innermost extremities for attachment of said side portions to said studs.

7. A mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically, and wherein a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side walls of said construction, the improvement comprising stabilizers associated with the side walls of said construction, said stabilizers extending between the top and bottom walls of said construction and including horizontal upper and lower portions and side portions which extends inwardly toward each other, means for holding said stabilizers in position within said construction, and including a flat flexible plate disposed on a side wall of said construction in association with each of said stabilizers, openings defined by said plate and studs extending outwardly from the side walls and'through said openings, the apex of each inwardly extending side portion defining an opening for attachment of said side portions to said studs.

8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mattress includes upper and lower border wires defining the outer edges thereof, and whe-rein'said horizon tal portions of said stabilizer are tied to said border wires.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 7 wherein said openings in said plate are elongated to permit horizontal sliding movement of said studs relative to said 6. exposed on the exterior of said mattress and end portions of said handle extending into the interior of said mattress which connect at either end of said flexible plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,322,995 6/1943 Allen 5-345 2,662,235 12/1953 Ferguson 5-345 2,993,215 7/1961 Rymland 5260 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION WHEREIN A PLURALITY OF COIL SPRINGS ARE ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AXES DISPOSED VERTICALLY, AND WHEREIN A COVERING IS PROVIDED FOR THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR USE ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE WALL OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, SAID HANDLE HAVING END PORTIONS, EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SIDE WALL, A FLEXIBLE PLATE POSITIONED OVER THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID ONE SIDE WALL, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID END PORTIONS WITHIN SAID CONSTRUCTION TO SAID PLATE, STUDS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID SIDE WALL, OPENINGS DEFINED BY SAID STUDS, AND A WIRE RUNNING ADJACENT THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID SIDE WALL, 